April 14, 2006 -- The success of the ArcFM UT product suite also in the international market lead to the first European Utility Forum organized by AED-SICAD, which was celebrated from April 4-5 in Paris, France. The two-day event was attended by approx. 70 key stakeholders in GIS and Utilities from sixteen different countries. The focus of the conference was the ArcFM UT product suite and product news, customer implementations and especially for new customers getting to know each other and exchanging experiences.

Participants were notably impressed by the 2-hour-live-demonstration of the ArcFM UT product suite, ranging from analyzing, reporting on and managing assets, over the extensive data capturing and design tools to mobile and web-based solutions for utilities. The considerable amount of new product features made the presentation equally interesting to long-time specialists as well as those who never attended a product demo before. In particular, the integration with SAP, SCADA and network calculation, mobile tools, and creation of schematic network representations were presented also live in more detail at a later stage and there was also the opportunity for individual demos in the coffee breaks.

Clearly one of the highlights were the diligently prepared customer presentations like the recent ArcFM UT introduction at Aqualectra Distribution in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles and at FEWA (Federal Electricity and Water Authority) in the United Arab Emirates. These presentations explained in greater detail the added value of using a state-of-the-art GIS application.

The scope of a wholly informative event was completed by contributions of IBM for middleware integration and SOA-type architectures in combination with ArcFM UT, of SAP for integration possibilities between SAP and ArcFM UT and of LEICA Geosystems for mobile intelligent data capture.

The feedback of the participants showed that for them it is extremely important to meet other users and to exchange ideas and experiences on different levels – even better if it takes place in an Art Nouveau Brasserie in the centre of Paris where the social event in the evening was held!

About AED-SICAD

AED-SICAD Aktiengesellschaft (AED-SICAD), Bonn/Munich, Germany, is the leading GIS application house in Europe, offering standard applications and tailor-made solutions. Our portfolio comprises high-end geo-information systems for the key segments cadastre and land management, utilities and local government. AED-SICAD employs more than 200 people. With various office sites in Germany as well as numerous distribution partners worldwide AED-SICAD offers a high degree of customer proximity. Additionally, we make use of the international sales channels of ESRI®, Leica Geosystems and Siemens. ESRI and Leica Geosystems are holding shares in AED-SICAD. On December 1, 2005, AED-SICAD acquired a majority share of 51% in BARAL.

We develop innovative standard applications and branch-specific solutions and offer individual services ranging from project management and consulting, customer-specific customization and localization to technical support and training.

With ArcFMTM UT for the utility industry and LM on ArcGIS® for cadastre and land management, AED-SICAD develops a new generation of GIS applications and solutions based on the worldwide leading ArcGIS core technology.